Election Commission begins process for holding Vice-Presidential election

Within 48 hours of Jagdeep Dhankhar resigning as Vice President citing health reasons, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has started the preparations to conduct election to the post.

"The Election Commission of India has already started the preparations relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025. On completion of the preparatory activities, the announcement of the Election Schedule to the office of the Vice President of India will follow as soon as possible," it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The poll body, under Article 324, is mandated to conduct the election to the office of the Vice President.

The election to the office of the Vice President is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the rules made thereunder, namely The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974.

Major pre-announcement activities related to the exercise include preparation of Electoral College which consists of elected as well as

nominated members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha; finalisation of Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officer(s); and preparation and dissemination of background material on all previous Vice-Presidential elections.

The Constitution says in case a vice president dies in office or resigns or is removed, the poll to elect the next person to the office should be held "as soon as possible".

The next Vice President will get a full five-year term in office, according to constitutional provisions.

Dhankhar had resigned with immediate effect on July 21 citing health grounds.

The members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including those nominated, elect the Vice President.

From the day the notification is issued, "calling the electoral college to vote", and till the day of the poll, a period of 30 days is stipulated.

A person cannot be elected as the vice president unless he is a citizen of India, has completed 35 years of age and is qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

A person is also not eligible if he holds any office of profit under the government of India or a state government or any subordinate local authority.

According to Article 68(2) of the Constitution, there is no fixed timeline within which the Vice Presidential election must be held in the event of a resignation. The provision mandates that the election be conducted "as soon as possible".